Tamaqua turned to its power play in the opening round of the District 11 Class 4A softball playoffs on Tuesday.

The Blue Raiders didn’t swap bats and balls for sticks and pucks - and they didn’t enjoy an extra-man advantage.

Instead, Tamaqua’s power play came in the form of strikeouts and home runs.

Raider pitcher Bryn Clifford was overpowering the entire game, allowing just three hits and striking out nine. Meanwhile, Tamaqua hitters were also flexing their muscles as Hailey Williams, Addison Krall and Leah Crowley all hit home runs.

That combination of power in the circle and at the plate propelled Tamaqua to a 7-1 victory over Wilson.

“Give Tamaqua all the credit,” said Wilson coach Kristin Boyer. “They hit the ball hard and showed a lot of power up and down their lineup.

“Their pitcher was really good too. We’ve faced some good pitching in the Colonial League this season, but she’s as good as we’ve seen. She has good speed, moves the ball around, and hits her spots. She was overpowering us, especially early in the game.”

Raider coach Jill Barron said the break between the end of the regular season and Tuesday’s district game seemed to help Clifford.

“Bryn’s had an outstanding season for us, but our backup pitcher has been injured, so Bryn had to throw a lot of innings,” said Barron. “I think having a week off really made a difference for her. She seemed refreshed on the mound today, and the results would seem to back that up.”

Clifford was perfect through three-and-two-thirds innings, striking out five of the first 11 batters she faced, while not allowing any balls out of the infield during that stretch. Meanwhile, Tamaqua’s offense was making sure she had plenty of margin for error if so needed.

The Raiders scored three times in the first inning, and added four more runs in the third to seize control of the game.

In the opening frame, Clifford and Krall both hit doubles to the base of the fence before Crowley drilled her home run to deep center.

In the third, Gabby Robb singled and Williams followed with a home run to right field. Clifford then doubled and Krall belted a home run to left.

“We actually showed a lot of power in our preseason scrimmages and practices,” said Barron. “But for whatever reason, once the season started our bats struggled a little bit.

“As the season has gone on, however, our bats have begun to come to life. I’ve known we were capable of hitting like this, so it’s nice to see it happen. It couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Clifford had no problem protecting the big lead. She allowed a solo home run to Olivia Werkheiser in the fourth, and then surrendered just two hits the rest of the way and didn’t walk a batter.

“I have three pitches - a straight fastball, a riser, and a drop curve - and I had good command of all three today,” said Clifford. “I’m confident in all of them, so I like to mix it up and try to keep the hitters off balance. It’s also nice to pitch with a big, early lead like I got today.

“Our offense was outstanding. We knew coming in that the next loss ends our season, and we don’t want the season to end. It seemed like everyone turned it up a notch today.”

BIG BATS ... Tamaqua had seven of its eight hits before an out was recorded in the third inning. Of those eight hits, six went for extra bases - including three homers and three doubles.

PERFECT AT THE PLATE ... In addition to dominating in the circle, Clifford was 3-for-3 at the plate and scored twice for the Raiders. Krall added two hits, two runs scored, and three RBIs.

UP NEXT ... Tamaqua (9-12) will now face Bethlehem Catholic in a 4A semifinal on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Northwestern. Wilson ends its season with an 8-12 record.

STRONG RELIEF ... Wilson freshman Tessa Fredericks relieved starter Mikayla Smith in the third inning and allowed no runs on one hit, while striking out four in four innings of work. “We’ve used both Mikayla and Tessa this year, but Mikayla is a senior who has had an amazing career for us, so we wanted to go with her today,” said Boyer. “Unfortunately, Tamaqua had her number today. That occasionally happens to everyone.”

Wilson 000 100 0 - 1 3 0

Tamaqua 304 000 x - 7 8 0

Smith, Fredericks (3) and Werkheiser; Clifford and Krall. W-Clifford. L-Smith. HR: Tamaqua - Crowley (1st, one on); Williams (3rd, one on); Krall (3rd, one on).